MS public universities, colleges face defunding after U.S. Department of Ed sends out letter
Public universities and colleges throughout the nation now face the loss of federal funding after the U.S. Department of Education instructed public institutions to eliminate DEI policies within all policies and practices.
Mississippi public universities and colleges which receive federal funding are now assessing programs and practices under new interpretation of civil rights laws.
In a "Dear Colleague" letter sent out Feb. 14, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights informed public institutions that assessments will take place beginning within 14 days to determine compliance with the department's current interpretation of federal law, specifically Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race.
"The Department will no longer tolerate the overt and covert racial discrimination that has become widespread in this Nation’s educational institutions," the letter reads. "The law is clear: treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal under controlling Supreme Court precedent."
The main objective of these assessments is to eliminate policies and practices which consider race as a factor in "admissions, financial aid, hiring, training and other institutional programming." The letter states that any institution that fails to comply with federal civil rights law will face potential loss of federal funding.
"Put simply, educational institutions may neither separate or segregate students based on race, nor distribute benefits or burdens base on race," the letter states.
This letter is the latest wave in a growing anti-DEI movement throughout the nation. DEI, or "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion," has roots in the Civil Rights Movement, and often takes the form of policies promoting equal treatment of all individuals regardless of race within educational institutions and businesses.
DEI offices on college campuses have long faced scrutiny by the Republican Party, but the backlash reached a fever pitch during President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. While on the campaign trail, Trump vowed to eliminate DEI efforts.
During his first week in office, Trump signed executive orders to shutter DEI offices within the federal government.
In Mississippi, both the Senate and the House recently passed bills banning DEI programs in higher education.
The "Dear Colleague" letter says current race-based policies and practices are a "shameful echo of a darker period in this country's history," and alludes to the former Biden administration.
"Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon 'systemic and structural racism' and advanced discriminatory policies and practices," the letter reads. "Proponents of these discriminatory practices have attempted to further justify them— particularly during the last four years — under the banner of 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' ('DEI'), smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming, and discipline. But under any banner, discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin is, has been, and will continue to be illegal."
The specific impact of these assessments on Mississippi's public universities and colleges remains unclear, but several programs on the state's college campuses face defunding.
John Sewell, director of communications for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, said in an email Friday that the IHL is "working with the public universities to address the directives of the letter."
In an email response Friday afternoon, Jacob Batte, director of communications for the University of Mississippi, said the university is aware of the letter and is reviewing how it may effect the Ole Miss campus.
On Wednesday, Mississippi State University put out a statement acknowledging the letter, stating the university will assess compliance "in light of these new interpretations" in the following days.
"While some changes and adjustments will be required, our people— our students, faculty and staff— remain our top priority as we work together through any needed changes and adjustments required by these new federal directives."
The future of DEI within Mississippi's public institutions remains hazy as campuses face the risk of losing federal funding.
In the coming weeks, as these assessments take place, adjustments are made and bills are voted on, campuses could possibly lose diversity policies, cultural clubs and scholarships along with changing long-held admission and hiring processes.
Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com